Mindfulness, Art, & Storytelling: Keynote Resources from Boise (don't miss the Creature Creation videos!)

At Alliance for a Healthier Generation we are committed to partnering locally, co-creating learning experiences, and amplifying those stories to ensure all children are healthy and ready to succeed.

Almost a year ago, I met the incredible Anna Beckman Almerico who leads Idaho Out-of-School Network . Since then, I've had the opportunity to be part of a community gathering in Coeur d'Alene to share The Walking Classroom , and speak at the Power Up Summit in Boise to share Kohl's Healthy at Home resources.

One of the things I'm most passionate about is rural health and building protective and supportive factors in youth who live in rural America. It's such an honor to be invited into the Idaho community.

Yesterday, February 20, Anna Beckman Almerico and I teamed up to deliver a morning keynote at the Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference in Boise. Our plenary was titled, Mindfulness, Art, and Storytelling: Simple Strategies to Center Community Voice.

Our goal: give attendees an opportunity to celebrate themselves and connect with each other while practicing resources and activities they can share in their local communities.

Below is the resource list we shared with the audience, including upcoming opportunities to connect in Idaho.

1. Nominate a Lights on Afterschool Champion

This was one of my favorite parts of our workshop; we asked attendees to reflect on who they would nominate. We opened the mic for anyone who wanted to share to the larger group. It was inspiring to hear stories of impact and inspiration from attendees.

Resource: Nomination form

Resource: Lights On Afterschool Afterschool Alliance

2. Tai Chi Sway & Qigong

It's not an Alliance for a Healthier Generation workshop without a little movement! We gently flowed around the room as a group and focused on breath/body connection. The best part, it gave us an opportunity to bump into others and say hi.

Resource: Mindful Moments from STRALA Yoga

3. MILLU Affirmation Cards

As folks moved around the room, we encouraged them to pick up a MILLU Affirmation Card (multiple cards placed on each table). Attendees were invited to reflect on a card and share with the larger group. It was powerful to have folks take turns coming to the podium and sharing mindful reflections with the crowd.

Thank you Sarah H. for donating a deck of cards for me to use! I let everyone keep their card as a souvenir.

Resource: MILLU

4. Yourself As Recipe

An activity I've been leading in a lot of workshops this year is a simple invitation to use a blank index card to write a recipe for yourself - what makes you the awesome person you are? A common ingredient for AmeriCorps members: compassion and empathy.

A few audience reflections included:

• This activity is a low-risk way to get to know each other.
• This activity helps identify similarities and differences in a group in a safe way.
• This activity is simple and easy to lead.

Of course, I love this activity because it's inexpensive and creates an opportunity to weave in food and culture.

Resource: Center Youth and Family Voice: Wellness Event Activities (LIVE from #BeyondSchoolHours)

Resource: Fun, Creativity, Togetherness: One of My Fav Workshops of 2024

Resource: Eating Healthy | Alliance for a Healthier Generation

5. Creature Creation

Imagine 1,000 colorful pipe cleaners spread on the tables, that was the set up for the final activity of our keynote. Our instruction was simple: work as a table group and "create a creature" using the pipe cleaners in 7 minutes.

The result from this Harmony Academy resource: MAGIC!

I love this resource because it creates a supportive and collaborative environment through play and creativity. It was exciting to see attendees who didn't know each other work together, laughing, and creating a welcoming space. I also appreciate the soft sensory aspect of the activity.

Resource: Harmony Academy

Resource: 1, 2, 3, Super Stars! A Fav #YouthVoice Resource | LinkedIn

Resource: Nature BINGO

Upcoming Opportunities with Idaho Out-of-School Network

Resource: RECHARGE – Idaho Out-Of-School Network

Special Thank You

Thank you The Walking Classroom Joshua Faden Community of Teachers MILLU Idaho Out-of-School Network BOOST Collaborative for donating fun swag like bags, stickers, cups, water bottles, and a WalkKit for our prize packs!

Beyond grateful to Harmony Academy Kohl's #KohlsHealthyAtHome and so many others for supporting our work and making these collaborations possible. Terri Ferinde, Ed.D. your name came up a lot yesterday as an inspiration too.